HAMPSHIRE IN LEGAL WORK THREAT

Hampshire CC has launched an investigation after one of its staff threatened a law firm in a court case over a disp...

Hampshire CC has launched an investigation after one of its staff threatened a law firm in a court case over a disputed footpath.

The Court of Appeal heard the unnamed solicitor said the council would remove business from barristers acting for Keith and Ann Gillingham.

The couple were appealing against being jailed for 28 days for contempt of court earlier this month after blocking a footpath near their home in Fawley, near Southampton.

Robin Belben, head of College Chambers, Southampton, said: 'On the face of it, it was an attempt to prevent Mr and Mrs Gillingham having access to justice. The three appeal court judges said the county council had been guilty of serious contempt of court.'

'We offered to help them for free. Then we received the call saying the council would stop giving us work if we didn't drop the case.'

The council said: 'We apologised and assured the judge that the matter would be dealt with internally. The judges said there was no purpose to be served by taking the matter any further.'

The local government and social care ombudsman is increasingly concerned with the way councils are dealing with financial and demand pressures, after a review of complaints showed a shift away from “one-off mistakes” to problems with systems, policies and procedures.

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